45-minute dinner
Cottage Cheese Turkey Baked Ziti
Saucy pasta, lean turkey, blended cottage cheese, and mozzarella make a protein-forward baked ziti with an estimated 34 grams of protein per serving.
By Maya TorresNutrition coach
- Total time
- 45 min
- Serves
- 8
- Est. protein
- 34g
Why this one is weeknight-friendly
Lean turkey and blended cottage cheese add protein without making the ingredient list complicated. The oven time is short because the pasta and turkey are already hot.
A few helpful tips
Undercook the pasta slightly so it stays firm after baking. Rest the casserole before slicing to help each serving hold together.
Easy swaps
Use penne or rigatoni instead of ziti. Frozen spinach can be added after thawing and squeezing it very dry.
Save the leftovers
Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days or freeze individual portions. Reheat to 165°F.
The recipe
Cottage Cheese Turkey Baked Ziti
Ingredients
- 12 ounces dry ziti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 1/2 pounds 93% lean ground turkey
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
- 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Contains: Milk, Wheat
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400°F. Cook the ziti in salted water for 2 minutes less than the package directs, then drain.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 4 minutes. Add the turkey, garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt. Cook until the turkey reaches 165°F, about 7–9 minutes.
- Stir the marinara into the turkey. Blend the cottage cheese until smooth, then stir it together with 1 cup mozzarella and the Parmesan.
- Combine the pasta, turkey sauce, and cottage cheese mixture. Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and top with the remaining mozzarella.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, until bubbling and hot in the center. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Food safety: Cook ground turkey to 165°F. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and reheat to 165°F.
About the protein estimate34g per serving is an estimate based on standard ingredient data. Brands, substitutions, and portion sizes change the result. View the source.